ADHD and Recovery....Medicated or not...

Thriving Unmedicated: Juggling ADHD and Sobriety Without the Safety Net"

Hello there! Navigating the roller coaster of life with ADHD can be like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle, especially if you're in recovery from substance abuse. But don't worry, you're not alone in this circus act, and there are some juggling tricks that can help you keep all the balls in the air without relying on medication.

First, let's talk about the elephant in the room: stimulant medications. While they can be helpful, they're not the only act in town, especially for those with a history of substance abuse. In fact, some experts suggest that stimulant medication might even prevent recovering addicts with ADHD from relapsing (SM Sarkis, 2015). So, what's the alternative? Think of it as swapping out the tightrope for a balance beam - still challenging, but with a little less risk.

One approach is to focus on personal recovery, which isn't just about managing symptoms, but also engaging successfully in life (W Chen et al., 2023). This might include developing coping strategies tailored to individuals with ADHD, which can be as varied and unique as the individuals themselves. Think of them as your personal clown car of tricks - they might seem small, but they can hold a lot!

Cognitive coping strategies are a big tent in the ADHD recovery circus. Parents of children with ADHD have found that promoting personal recovery involves more than just addressing deficits; it's about building on strengths and fostering a positive view of ADHD (S Edwards et al., 2021). That's like turning a juggling act into a magic show - focusing on the wow, not the how!

For adults with both ADHD and substance use disorders, the keys to recovery are often found in structure, routines, and strategies that address both conditions at once. It's a little like having a ringmaster to keep the show running smoothly (LM Kronenberg et al., 2015).

In the grand circus of life, remember that while ADHD and past substance use disorders may be part of your act, they don't define the entire performance. With a little creativity, humor, and a supportive crowd, you can keep your sobriety and ADHD under the spotlight where you can manage them best, without the need for stimulants. So go ahead, take a bow - you're the star of this show! 🎪🤹‍♂️

Are you Lonely?

 

Recovery Roulette: Navigating the Lonesome Road with a Wink and a Smile. 

In the dimly lit corridors of recovery, where echoes of past follies linger like the faint smell of disinfectant, one may find themselves meandering a bit too solitarily. It’s the kind of solitude where you’ve memorized every crack in the ceiling because, let’s face it, it’s become your new Netflix. But here’s the kicker: being alone in recovery is like trying to tickle yourself – it’s possible, but it’s weird, and you’ll look ridiculous doing it.

Now, why is flying solo on this turbulent journey not recommended? Picture this: You’re the lone wolf, howling at the moon, but the only response is the unsettling silence of your own echo. It’s not just the lack of a return howl that’s concerning; it’s the fact that isolation can lead to a mental tango with your own shadows. In the absence of a support system, your brain becomes a playground for the ghosts of Addictions Past.

But do we recover alone? Technically, you could, if you also believe you can single-handedly row across the Atlantic with a teaspoon. Recovery is a team sport. It's like a tug of war: you need someone on the other end of the rope to keep you from falling face-first into the mud pit of relapse.

Finding your tribe in recovery is akin to online dating but less awkward and with better outcomes. Support groups are the match.com for the soul, places where oversharing is encouraged, and nobody bats an eye if you cry while talking about your pet rock. Therapy is like having a personal trainer for your psyche, sculpting your emotional resilience into a chiseled work of art.

Let’s chat about the dark side of too much me-time. Imagine your mind as a studio apartment where the rent is too high, and the walls start closing in. The longer you stay cooped up, the more you start talking to the furniture. Isolation is the petri dish where the bacteria of despair flourish, and before you know it, you’re considering naming your anxiety and inviting it to family dinners.

Balance is the key; it’s the Yin to your recovery Yang. It’s not about swinging from the chandeliers at social events (although that’s an option), but rather not letting yourself become the hermit crab of human emotion. Recovery is about finding equilibrium between the gravity of your situation and the levitation of hope.

So, in the end, remember that going solo on your recovery road trip is like being the only person at a concert – sure, you can dance like nobody’s watching, but it’s a lot more fun when someone else is there to step on your toes.-Belle_

I almost lost my Sh*t today....

Navigating Life's Challenges in Recovery: A Personal Journey

Life, as we know, is often unpredictable and full of challenges that test our resolve, our patience, and our ability to stay true to the principles we’ve worked so hard to uphold. As a counselor and someone who is in recovery, I've learned that the path to healing and growth is not a straight line but a winding road with its fair share of hurdles. Today, I faced one such hurdle – a personal setback that reverberated through the core of my parental instincts.

I had high hopes for my son, who is autistic, to join a charter school that specializes in nurturing children like him. Unfortunately, he was not accepted; the reason given was that he did not "buy into" the program sufficiently. That news hit me like a ton of bricks. It brought forth a whirlwind of emotions — anger, hurt, and an intense urge to spring into action, to fix what seemed so unjustly broken. My hustler mind kicked into high gear, searching for someone to blame, someone to persuade, and a way to overturn the decision that felt so unfair.

This is a scenario that many of us in recovery face in one form or another. When something strikes at the heart of what we cherish, our instinct is to lash out, to revert to those old behaviors that promise immediate relief but ultimately lead us down a path we’ve fought so hard to veer away from. It’s in these moments that the true test of our recovery presents itself. How do we confront these urges? How do we ensure that we don't relapse into the destructive patterns we've overcome?

The answer, though not simple, begins with a breath. A deep, grounding breath that brings us back to the present and to the realization that our reactions can either serve our recovery or hinder it. We must remind ourselves that recovery has granted us a set of tools — tools that allow us to approach conflicts and setbacks with resilience and a clear mind.

First, we need to accept that we cannot control everything, especially the decisions made by others. Acceptance does not mean we agree or give up; it means we acknowledge the reality of the situation without letting it dictate our emotions or actions.

Second, we must seek support from our community — not to co-sign our anger, but to help us process our feelings in a healthy way. Speaking with a trusted friend, a mentor, or a support group can provide perspective and prevent isolation, which can be a trigger for relapse.

Third, we must channel our energy into productive advocacy. Rather than fighting out of anger, we can seek to understand, ask questions, and explore alternatives. Perhaps there are other programs, resources, or educational paths that can offer my son the support and opportunities he needs.

And finally, we must practice self-compassion and patience. Recovery has taught us that we are resilient, that we have the capacity to face adversity without losing ourselves. We have learned that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and that by staying true to our recovery, we can navigate even the toughest of times.

As I reflect on today’s news, I choose to embrace these principles. I choose to act not out of a desire for immediate retribution but with the intention of finding the best way forward for my son and for myself. I am reminded that recovery is not just about abstaining from harmful behaviors; it’s about developing the strength to face life on life’s terms — with grace, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to our well-being.

To all who are in recovery and facing your own battles, know that you are not alone. We overcome these trials by holding onto our recovery, by remembering our why, and by walking the path with integrity, one step at a time.-Belle-

Everyone tells me to CBT that shit.....

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT as those in the know call it, has become a beacon of hope in the bleak and often puzzling world of addiction recovery. Now, before you envision a group of addicts sitting around cross-legged chanting mantras about feelings and healing, let me assure you it's less about singing "Kumbaya" and more about rewiring the noggin for sober living.

So, what is this miraculous CBT? Imagine your brain as a somewhat moody teenager – occasionally cooperative but prone to tantrums and bad decisions. CBT is like the cool aunt or uncle that swoops in with wisdom and quirky life hacks that gradually teach the teen how to cope without throwing a fit every time it doesn’t get its way – or in our case, every time it craves a fix.

Let's dive into the day-to-day grind for John Doe on his quest for sobriety. After admitting that he’s been on better dates than the ones with his addiction, old Johnny decides to give CBT a whirl. His therapist is no ordinary human; they're armed with an arsenal of strategies aiming to expose triggers, dismantle destructive patterns, and basically play whack-a-mole with his cravings.

A typical scenario? John's walking past his usual bar when the scent of cheap beer tries to sweet talk its way into his nostrils. A month ago, he would have been wooed by this toxic perfume and stumbled back into his ex-lover's arms – we're talking about alcohol here, keep up! But with his newfound CBT superpowers, Johnny recognizes the trigger, acknowledges his craving without judgment (because who’s perfect?), and employs a coping technique faster than you can say "not today, Satan!" He visualizes the hangover from hell or reminds himself that sobriety isn't just a fling – it's for keeps.

CBT packs a punch with homework assignments too. Yes, Johnny actually has to practice being sober. He identifies thought distortions (like "I could totally win at beer pong right now") and challenges them ("Last time I played beer pong, I mistook my shoe for my phone"). It's mental gymnastics—with slightly less spandex involved.

The goal? To make responding to life’s daily triggers as common and automatic as mistakenly hitting “reply all” in an embarrassing email thread. As comical as the metaphor sounds – sobriety becomes muscle memory through diligent practice.

So there you have it: CBT is the darkly humorous sword needed to duel the dragons of addiction, proving once again that even when faced with an Ahab-level obsession for one’s personal white whale of addiction, one can still find reason to chuckle... even if it’s between therapeutic sessions or gritted teeth during particularly pesky cravings.-Belle-